The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-09
THE GREAT WATERBURY CLOCK
1t is Nearly Done and is to Surpass
That at StraSburg.

f&NS
That at Strasburg.
From, the Philadelphia Ne,cs.
The Waterbury Watch Company have
almost completed their wonderful clock
which in its mechanism is said TO suI'pass
the famous clock of Strasburg. 1t will be
completed by early autumn, and will then
be on exhibition in several OF the leading
cities of the United States. No one has
yet seen it but the builders. The clock is
Is feet high, with base of Z feet; the
width is s feet and it is 81 feet deep.
Nearly all the choice and expensive varie-
ties of wood enter into its construction,
also a numberless variety of metals. The
cabinet work throughout is a marvel of
beauty Five long years have been con-
sumed in its. construction; sometimes four,
at others five men have been engaged III the
work. Time is indicated in the usual man.
ton hah-Seconds, eighths, sixteenths and
thirty-seconds. The day of the year, month
and week may also be taken from the dial.
The number of wheels, parts, pinlons,
springs and other parts of the mechanism
is legion, all of which contribute to
most wonderful and amusing exhibit
lions of historical events. The several
phases of the moon are indicated.
The entire system of the planets
and in all the varied revolutions. A per-
feet system of astronomy may be studied
from the ingenious machinery. Many hun
dred figures represent distinguished clergy
men, lawyers, physicians, orators, poets,
musicians, sculptors, artists and actors; also
distinguished men of all nations. These
figures are said to be carved in wood from
correct licensees, and are most complete
representations. The signers of the Declare
nf nd
sented in history, the Cabinet of Lin
coin when the emancipation proclama-
ton was signed, the surrender of Lee
at Appomatox, several scenes at the Cen
tennial at Philadelphia, in 1876, and noted
scenes and historical events as represented
in the Bible have a prominent place.
Shakespearean plays are set out with char
acters true to the representations of the
author and the modern setting at the thea
tres, with dress and costume to correspond
Figures and fashions of dress, both ancient
and modern, down to the latest period, are
among the curiosities. A multitude of
amusing scenes will fill out the measure of
this wonderful clock. 1t is safe to say it
will surpass any other mechanical structure
of the kind ever produced.
When Gen. Grant Enjoyed Hearty
Laugh.
From the Chicago Tribune.
Cen Grant was rarely known to smile,
and the occasions were few indeed when his
dignity so far broke down as to permit him
to laugh outright-though he was far from
being devoid of relish for a good story
or joke. There was one time in his life,
however, when he INDUCED in a roar of
laughter that might have been heard for a
quarter of mile. 1t was while he was fill
ing the Presidential chair and made his trip
to DesMoines, Ia, and delivered the famous
speech on education-the first time it was
discovered that he really could make a good
speech He passed through the little town
of Bloomfield, twelve miles from the Missouri
line, at 8 O'Clock at night. A crowd had
assembled, conspicuous among them being
| the village topper, who always filled up on
| great occasions, and had therefore risen to
the emergency, and was in a condition on
| the arrival of the Presidential party to
| hobnob with King. The train halted at
| the station for several minutes, and in re-
Spouse to cheers President Grant appeared
| on the platform and lifted his hat in stiff,
schoolboy fashion The old topper looked at
him with blinking eyes, and then deliber-
| ately thrust his face close to the sphinx-like
countenance before him. There was a dead
silence, the audacity OF the act causing the
| townspeople to stare in dumb amazement,
| while the few persons surrounded Grant
| were equally astounded. For a moment
the drunken man swayed and started, and
then said
\ "Ish zis Presh'dunt Grantg' f
|. The features of the hero of Appomat-
tox relaxed little as he nodded affirma-
lively.
Come, now, homes, pardner," persisted
the topper ''Shay, Gilman, y amt tryin' to
fool Teller, are your
The scene was cut shortly by the town
Marshal reaching up and yanking the
intruder to the ground; but it had such an
inexpressibly funny side that the ''silent
mani burst into hearty guffaw, in which
those around him joined as the train moved
away.